A memorial mass honoring the life of Mary E. Ferrante, 87, took place Oct. 14 at Ss. Peter & Paul's Church in Hoboken. She passed away Aug. 28 at Chandler Hall in Newtown Boro, Pa. "Mother Mary", as she was widely known by those who developed a relationship with her, was a very determined and disciplined person to the end. Born in Jersey City to German and Irish parents, Mary lived the entirety of her life in Hoboken among her eight natural sisters and brothers and her 13 "adopted" sisters and brothers, all of whom accepted her as one or their own in their big Italian family. After graduating from St. Peter & Paul and Demarest High school respectively, Mary took on the challenges of Wall Street before marrying Evo Ferrante and becoming an earnest Hoboken homemaker while also pursuing her artistic interests in painting and drawing. Once her boys were properly grown to her satisfaction and were men, she continued her career as a dental assistant, legal executive secretary and a proud local tavern owner of Foley & McCabe's in Hoboken.

During that time, Mother Mary" was active in Deborah Hospital activities and the Hoboken Senior Citizen Organization teaching skills such as painting, knitting and crocheting. Her final days on earth were peppered with recalling memories about all the many friends she helped (sometimes with very frank "pinion-sharing" throughout life and inquiring how they currently were. Many of her loved ones have since passed on, but she is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Dan & Rita Ferrante, and her granddaughter Danielle.